Fishing License Guide

Trout limits by state

Check before you keep a fish. These are statewide rules. Lakes, rivers and coastal zones often have their own limits, and rules can change during the year. Each state below has a link to its official rules.

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StateWhereSizeDaily bagSeason
Alabama
Rainbow trout
Statewide – 5 –
Special rules on the Sipsey Fork below Lewis Smith Dam. Official source ADCNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Alaska
Rainbow trout and steelhead
Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) – 2 (only 1 may be 20" or longer) Lakes open all year; flowing waters catch-and-release only April 15 to June 14
Limits vary by area; many waters are catch-and-release or have special rules. Official source ADF&G official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Alaska
Dolly Varden and Arctic char
Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) – 5 (only 1 may be 12" or longer) Open all year
Limits vary by area. Official source ADF&G official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Alaska
Lake trout
Susitna River drainage, Unit 1 default (2026) No size limit 2 Open all year
Limits vary by area. Official source ADF&G official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Arizona
Trout
Statewide – 4 in any combination –
Arizona Community Fishing waters (lakes / ponds) – 4 lakes / 2 ponds –
Includes Apache and Gila trout. Many streams and lakes have special rules. Secondary source: Arizona Fishing Regulations (eRegulations) AZGFD official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Arkansas
Trout
Statewide – 5 in total; no more than 2 brown, 2 cutthroat and 2 brook –
Trout permit needed to keep trout. Special minimum lengths and catch-and-release areas on many trout waters. Official source AGFC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
California
Trout
Lakes, reservoirs and ponds – 5 (10 in possession) Open all year
California Streams, rivers and canals – 5 (10 in possession) Last Saturday in April to November 15; catch and release with barbless artificial lures the rest of the year
Many waters have special trout rules. Brook trout under 10" have an extra limit of 10 in most waters. Secondary source: California freshwater regulations booklet (eRegulations) CDFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Colorado older data
Trout
Statewide – 4 in total (8 in possession) –
Note on this data: These limits come from a 2023 copy of Colorado's regulations, the newest we could check. Some may have changed since. Includes lake trout, char, grayling, salmon and whitefish but not kokanee. Brook trout 8" or under: 10 extra a day. Secondary source: Colorado fishing regulations (eRegulations) CPW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Connecticut
Trout
Statewide 9" minimum (from January 1, 2026) 5 Catch and release only statewide from March 1 to the second Saturday in April
Includes brook, brown, rainbow, tiger and lake trout. Trout and Salmon Stamp needed to keep trout. Many Trout Management Areas have special rules. Official source CT DEEP official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
Delaware
Trout
Statewide No size limit 6 (4 in or within 50 ft of fly-fishing-only waters) Streams open first Saturday in April; ponds first Saturday in March
Trout stamp needed on designated trout waters in season. No fishing on designated trout waters from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Secondary source: Delaware Fishing Guide (eRegulations edition) DNREC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Georgia
Trout
Statewide – 8 –
Trout license needed. Secondary source: Georgia sport fishing regulations (eRegulations) Georgia DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Hawaii
Rainbow trout
Kokee, Kauai No size limit listed 10, or as announced Open only in announced seasons
Official source DLNR DAR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Idaho
Trout (rainbow, cutthroat, brown, lake trout and hybrids, combined)
Panhandle, Southwest, Upper Snake, Salmon – 6 in total All year
Idaho Magic Valley, Southeast – 6 in total; no more than 2 cutthroat in rivers and streams All year
Idaho Clearwater (lakes and reservoirs) – 6 in total All year
Clearwater rivers and streams have a different limit; check the region rules. Brook trout and bull trout have their own limits. Official source234567 IDFG official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Idaho
Brook trout
All regions – 25 All year
Official source234567 IDFG official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Idaho
Bull trout
All regions – Catch and release only All year
Official source234567 IDFG official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Idaho
Steelhead
Set each year: check here. Closed unless IDFG opens a season for that water; seasons and limits are set each year. A salmon/steelhead permit is needed. Check before you go.
Illinois
Trout and salmon
Statewide – 5 in total –
Inland trout stamp or Lake Michigan salmon stamp needed. Inland trout seasons open on set dates in spring and autumn. Official source IDNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Indiana
Trout (inland streams and lakes)
Inland streams Brook trout 7 in 5 in total; no more than 1 brown trout Last Saturday in April (6 am) to 31 December; catch and release 1 January to 14 April
Indiana Inland lakes No minimum (18 in for brown trout at Oliver, Olin and Martin lakes) 5 in total; no more than 1 brown trout All year
Trout/salmon stamp needed. Secondary source: Indiana Fishing Guide (eRegulations edition) Indiana DNR official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
Indiana
Lake Michigan trout and salmon
Lake Michigan Atlantic salmon 14 in 5 in total; no more than 3 lake trout All year
Trout/salmon stamp needed. Check the full guide for species-by-species sizes. Secondary source: Indiana Fishing Guide (eRegulations edition) Indiana DNR official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
Iowa older data
Trout
Statewide – 5 (possession 10) All year
Note on this data: Size limits aren't shown: we couldn't confirm them from an official source. Bag limits and seasons are shown where we could. Trout fee needed. Many waters have exceptions (Iowa Admin. Code 571-81.2) not shown here, including length limits. Secondary source: Iowa Administrative Code 571-81.1 (Cornell Legal Information Institute) Iowa DNR official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
Kansas
Rainbow and brown trout
Statewide – 5 in total –
A trout permit is needed at designated trout waters during the trout season. Official source KDWP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Kentucky
Rainbow trout
Statewide No minimum 8 –
Possession limit 16. A trout permit is needed to keep trout. Official source KDFWR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Kentucky
Brown trout
Statewide 16" minimum 1 –
Possession limit 2. Trout permit needed to keep trout. Official source KDFWR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Kentucky
Cutthroat trout
Statewide 20" minimum 1 –
Possession limit 2. Official source KDFWR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Kentucky
Brook trout
Statewide Catch and release only 0 –
Catch and release only, except the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam and upper Hatchery Creek (special rules). Official source KDFWR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Maine
Brook trout (with splake and Arctic charr)
General law 6" minimum 5 (only 2 from South Zone lakes and ponds) –
Many waters have special rules (S-codes in the law book). Official source MDIFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Maine
Lake trout (togue)
General law 18" minimum 2 –
Official source MDIFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Maine
Brown trout
Lakes and ponds 14" minimum 2 –
Maine Rivers and streams 6" to 25" 2 –
Official source MDIFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Maine
Rainbow trout
Lakes and ponds 12" minimum 2 –
Maine Rivers and streams 6" minimum 2 –
Official source MDIFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Maryland
Trout (all species)
Non-tidal waters No minimum 2 in total Year-round
Possession 4. Put-and-take and special management areas have different rules. Trout stamp needed. Secondary source: Maryland fishing guide 2026 (eRegulations) Maryland DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Massachusetts
Trout (brook, brown, rainbow, tiger)
Statewide No minimum 6 in total; no more than 3 brook, brown or tiger trout Year-round
Housatonic River and some ponds have special rules. Official source MassWildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Massachusetts
Lake trout
Quabbin Reservoir 18" minimum 2 Set by DCR
Massachusetts Wachusett Reservoir No minimum listed 3 Set by DCR
Official source MassWildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Minnesota
Lake trout
Statewide – 2 –
Official source MN DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Minnesota
Stream trout (brook, brown, rainbow, splake)
Streams Only 1 over 16" 5 in total –
Minnesota Lakes Only 3 over 16" 5 in total –
Trout and salmon stamp needed (ages 18-64) unless using a 24-hour or 72-hour license. Official source MN DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Missouri
Trout
Statewide Rainbow: none. Brown: 15" minimum in streams 4 in total –
Missouri Lake Taneycomo Rainbow 12" to 20" protected below Table Rock Dam; brown 20" minimum, 1 only 4 in total –
A trout permit is needed to keep trout. Trout parks need a daily tag, and are catch and release, flies only, in winter (2026-27: Nov 13 to Feb 8). Official source MDC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Montana older data
Trout (rivers and streams)
Western District Only 1 over 14" 3 Third Saturday in May to November 30
Montana Central District Only 1 over 18"; only 1 cutthroat 3 –
Montana Eastern District – 5 –
Note on this data: These limits come from a 2023 copy of Montana's regulations, the newest we could check, and FWP has proposed changes. Some limits may now be different. Many waters are catch and release or have special limits. Daily and possession limits are the same. Secondary source: Montana fishing regulations (eRegulations) FWP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Montana older data
Trout (lakes and reservoirs)
Western District Only 1 over 22" 5 (10 in possession) Open all year
Montana Central and Eastern districts – 5 (10 in possession) Open all year
Note on this data: These limits come from a 2023 copy of Montana's regulations, the newest we could check, and FWP has proposed changes. Some limits may now be different. Secondary source: Montana fishing regulations (eRegulations) FWP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Montana older data
Lake trout
Western District – 20 (40 in possession) –
Montana Central District – 3 –
Montana Eastern District – 3 (6 in possession) –
Note on this data: These limits come from a 2023 copy of Montana's regulations, the newest we could check, and FWP has proposed changes. Some limits may now be different. Secondary source: Montana fishing regulations (eRegulations) FWP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Nebraska
Brook and cutthroat trout
Statewide No minimum; only 1 of 12" or longer 2 (4 in possession) –
Official source Game and Parks official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Nebraska
Brown, rainbow, tiger trout and cutbow
Statewide No minimum; only 1 of 16" or longer 5 (brown: 10 in possession; rainbow, tiger, cutbow: 12) –
Official source Game and Parks official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Nevada
Trout
Western Region (Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe) – 5 –
Nevada Eastern Region (Elko, Eureka, Lander, White Pine) – 5 –
Nevada Southern Region (Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Nye) – 10 –
Nevada Lake Mead and Lake Mohave – 5 –
Nevada Colorado River below Davis Dam – 5 –
Nevada Lake Tahoe – 5 game fish in total –
Nevada Topaz Lake – 5 –
Secondary source: Nevada Fishing Regulations 2026 (NDOW guide on eRegulations)23 NDOW official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
New Hampshire
Brook, rainbow and brown trout
Lakes and ponds (open water) – 5 fish or 5 lb, whichever first Ice-out to ice-in
New Hampshire Lakes and ponds (through the ice) – 2 –
New Hampshire Rivers and streams – 5 fish or 5 lb, whichever first Jan 1 to Oct 15
Designated trout ponds open the fourth Saturday in April to October 15 and are closed to ice fishing. Secondary source: New Hampshire Fishing Digest 2026 (eRegulations)2 NH Fish and Game official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
New Hampshire
Lake trout
Statewide 15" minimum 2 Jan 1 to Sept 30
Secondary source: New Hampshire Fishing Digest 2026 (eRegulations) NH Fish and Game official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
New Jersey
Trout (brook, brown and rainbow)
Rivers and streams 9" minimum 2 January 1 to March 22
New Jersey Trout-stocked rivers and streams n/a Closed March 23 to opening day (April 11, 2026, 8 a.m.)
New Jersey Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds 9" minimum 6 Opening day (April 11, 2026, 8 a.m.) to May 31
New Jersey Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds 9" minimum 2 June 1 to December 31
Trout stamp needed. Many special-regulation waters (catch-and-release, trout conservation areas, wild trout streams, trophy lakes) differ. Some stocked waters close 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on spring stocking days. Secondary source: NJ Fish & Wildlife freshwater fishing digest 2026 (eRegulations) NJ Fish & Wildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
New Mexico
Trout and kokanee (brown, brook, rainbow, Gila, kokanee)
Statewide (regular trout waters) No minimum 5 combined (10 in possession), including no more than 2 lake trout and 2 cutthroat –
Special Trout Waters have their own lower limits and tackle rules; some waters (e.g. Tingley Beach) differ. A free Gila Trout Fishing Permit is needed on some waters. Official source2 NMDOW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
New Mexico
Lake trout
Statewide No minimum 2 (4 in possession), counted within the trout limit –
Official source2 NMDOW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
New Mexico
Cutthroat trout
Statewide No minimum 2, counted within the trout limit –
Any trout with red slash marks under the jaw counts as a cutthroat. Official source2 NMDOW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
New York
Trout in inland streams (brook, brown, rainbow, splake)
Statewide No minimum 5 (no more than 2 over 12") April 1 to October 15
New York Statewide n/a Catch and release only, artificial lures only October 16 to March 31
Official source NYSDEC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
New York
Trout in lakes and ponds
Brook trout No minimum 5 April 1 to October 15
New York Brown trout, rainbow trout, splake No minimum 5 (no more than 2 over 12") All year
Official source NYSDEC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
New York
Lake trout
Statewide 21" minimum 3 April 1 to October 15
Official source NYSDEC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
North Dakota
Trout (brown, cutthroat, lake, rainbow, tiger)
Statewide No minimum 3 combined (6 in possession) –
Official source NDGF official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Ohio
Trout and salmon
Inland waters No minimum (some waters 12") 5 (2 on some waters) –
Ohio Lake Erie and tributaries 12" minimum May 16 to Aug 31 2 from Sep 1 to May 15; 5 from May 16 to Aug 31 –
Official source ODNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Oklahoma
Rainbow and brown trout
Statewide – 3 in total –
Culling not allowed. Trout areas have their own rules. Official source ODWC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Oregon
Trout
Willamette Zone lakes 8" minimum; only 1 over 20" 5 (3 daily limits in possession) Open all year
Oregon Willamette Zone streams – Catch and release unless an exception applies May 22 to October 31; artificial flies and lures only
Oregon sets trout rules by zone; other zones differ. Check your zone. Secondary source: Oregon sport fishing regulations (eRegulations) ODFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Oregon
Salmon and steelhead
Set each year: check here. Limits and seasons vary by zone and river and change in season. Ocean salmon seasons are set each April. Check ODFW before fishing.
Pennsylvania older data
Trout (all species)
Statewide, regular season 7" minimum 5 combined Opening day (April 4, 2026, 8 a.m.) to early September
Pennsylvania Stocked waters, extended season 7" minimum 3 combined January 1 to February 15 and early September to December 31
Pennsylvania Unstocked waters, extended season n/a Catch and release only –
Note on this data: Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries aren't covered here: their limits differ from the inland rules shown. Trout permit needed. Stocked trout waters close from February 16 to opening day. Many special-regulation waters differ. Figures from the 2025 summary; the Commission's 2026 book confirms the dates noted. Check the current summary book before fishing. Secondary source: Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (eRegulations, 2025 edition)2 PFBC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Rhode Island
Trout and charr
Statewide 8" minimum 5 Second Saturday in April (April 11 in 2026) to November 30
Rhode Island Statewide 8" minimum 2 December 1 to last day of February
Trout Conservation Stamp needed to keep trout. Some waters, such as Beach Pond and Killingly Pond, have exceptions. Official source23 RIDEM official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
South Carolina
Trout (brook, brown and rainbow)
Statewide No minimum 5 –
South Carolina Lake Jocassee 15" minimum, 1 over 20" (October 1 to May 31); no minimum June 1 to September 30 3 –
Chattooga River (Hwy 28 to Reed Creek) is catch and release November 1 to May 14; parts of the Saluda are catch and release only. Secondary source: South Carolina hunting and fishing regulations 2026-27 (eRegulations) SCDNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
South Dakota
Trout, salmon and splake
Statewide No minimum 5 combined (possession 10) –
Includes chinook salmon. Black Hills waters have special trout rules. Official source2 SD GFP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
South Dakota
Lake trout (Black Hills)
Black Hills fishing area 24" minimum 1 –
Official source2 SD GFP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Tennessee
Trout
Statewide – 7 in total, only 2 of them lake trout –
Many trout waters have their own rules. Official source TWRA official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Utah
Trout, kokanee and Arctic grayling
Statewide No statewide minimum 4 combined –
No kokanee may be kept anywhere from September 10 to November 30. Many waters, including Flaming Gorge, Strawberry and Bear Lake, have their own trout rules. Secondary source: Utah Fishing Guidebook (eRegulations) Utah DWR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Vermont
Brook, brown and rainbow trout
Rivers and streams No minimum 8 combined Second Saturday in April to October 31
Vermont Lakes and ponds No minimum 6 combined Second Saturday in April to October 31 (lakes and ponds also January 1 to March 15)
Many waters have special rules; trophy trout streams differ. Secondary source: Vermont Fishing Regulations 2026-27 (eRegulations) Vermont Fish & Wildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Vermont
Lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon
Statewide Lake trout 18"; salmon 17" 2 combined Second Saturday in April to October 31 (lakes and ponds also January 1 to March 15)
Secondary source: Vermont Fishing Regulations 2026-27 (eRegulations) Vermont Fish & Wildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Vermont
Lake Champlain (Vermont waters)
Walleye 18" minimum 3 First Saturday in May to March 15
Vermont Black bass 12" minimum 5 combined Second Saturday in June to November 30
Vermont Lake trout 15" minimum 3 All year
Vermont Landlocked salmon 15" minimum 2 All year
Vermont Northern pike 20" minimum 5 All year
Vermont Yellow perch No minimum No limit All year
Secondary source: Vermont Fishing Regulations 2026-27 (eRegulations) Vermont Fish & Wildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Virginia
Trout
Statewide 7" minimum 6 –
Special regulation trout waters differ. South Holston: 7 a day (only 2 lake trout), no minimum. A trout license is needed in designated stocked waters. Official source DWR / VMRC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Washington
Trout
Lakes, ponds and reservoirs No minimum 5 –
Washington Rivers, streams and beaver ponds 8" minimum 2 –
Combined limit from rivers and lakes on the same day is 5, no more than 2 from rivers. Many waters have special rules. Secondary source: Washington Sport Fishing Rules 2026 (eRegulations edition) WDFW official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Washington
Steelhead
Set each year: check here. Statewide default is 2 a day, 20" minimum, wild steelhead released, but seasons are often changed by emergency rule. Check WDFW before fishing. A catch record card is needed.
West Virginia
Trout (rainbow, golden rainbow, brook, brown, tiger)
Statewide No minimum 6 (possession 12) –
Catch-and-release and delayed-harvest waters differ (delayed harvest: catch and release November 1 to May 15). Trout stamp needed. Official source WVDNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Wisconsin older data
Inland trout
Inland streams, springs and spring ponds Varies by stream category Varies by stream category April 4 to October 15, 2026
Note on this data: Only statewide daily bag limits are shown. Size limits, and many bag limits, are set lake by lake, so they aren't listed here. Trout regulations are set by stream category; see the DNR trout regulations. Inland Trout Stamp needed. Official source WDNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026
Wisconsin
Great Lakes salmon and trout
Set each year: check here. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior limits and seasons differ by zone and can change. Check DNR before fishing. Great Lakes Salmon/Trout Stamp needed.
Wyoming
Trout (brown, cutthroat, grayling, golden, rainbow, salmon, tiger trout and hybrids)
Lakes No statewide size limit 6 –
Wyoming Streams Only 1 over 16" 3 –
No more than 6 in total from streams and lakes combined. Many waters have exceptions; see the area rules. Secondary source: 2026 Wyoming Fishing Regulations (eRegulations edition) WGFD official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
Wyoming
Brook trout
Statewide No statewide size limit 16 –
Secondary source: 2026 Wyoming Fishing Regulations (eRegulations edition) WGFD official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026
Wyoming
Lake trout and splake
Statewide Only 1 over 24" 6 combined –
Flaming Gorge and other waters have their own rules. Secondary source: 2026 Wyoming Fishing Regulations (eRegulations edition) WGFD official rules Checked Nov 5, 2026

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